The Guide to A Professional Feng Shui Consultant & School

Within the past two decades we have seen a proliferation in Feng Shui schools and practitioners from all over the world. How do we know if they each have what it takes to give us guidance in terms of prosperity, health, success and happiness?

At the present time Feng Shui practitioners at large generally fall into two categories:

Traditional/Classical Chinese Feng Shui School – which has a history of 6000 years in China. It is comprised of the observation of forms in the environment, detailed calculation of formulas based on time and space, the use of the Luo Pan (Chinese Feng Shui compass), and the logical study and implementation of the balance and harmony of Qi.

New Age Feng Shui Schools (BTB Feng Shui, Western School of Feng Shui, Intuitive Feng Shui, Energy Feng Shui, etc.) – which has approximately 30 years of history and started out of California, USA. These are based on an amalgamation of very basic Feng Shui principles, modern psychology, Western European and Native American traditions, as well as very subjective interpretations of the Qi in the environment.

Firstly, with regards to Traditional/Classical Chinese Feng Shui, one must acknowledge that in order to become a proficient Feng Shui practitioner in ancient China, students had to follow the same Master for at least ten years, before the Master would begin to impart his knowledge. Only those who the Master deemed sound of character, and who possessed the right attitude and aptitude, were granted the secret teachings. The education was a life long learning experience, most of which was based on on-site observations and intelligent processing of information.

So, for those who are bombarded with Feng Shui websites, all kinds of pseudo Feng Shui advice, recommendations for "cures," and superstition which is circulated in books (mostly written by people who have only attended a couple of Feng Shui seminars), it is very difficult for one to know who and what is genuine and effective. If you are looking for help from a Feng Shui consultant, or wanting to learn from a true Feng Shui school, here are some guidelines:

Traditional/Classical Chinese Feng Shui certification is a must. Reading the write-up of the consultant/teacher will give you a good idea of what kind of training the person has and which school he/she belongs to.

A person calling himself/herself a Master does not really mean anything, not unless the person is affiliated with a well established school. The title must be conferred upon the person by the Head Master of the Feng Shui School.

The practitioner should require information regarding the birthdates of the people living/working in the space.

The practitioner should require information regarding when the building was constructed and when it had major renovations.

The practitioner should require accurate to-scale floor plans and site plans of the building.

The practitioner should require information regarding the history of the people living/working in the space as well as the kind of existing and persisting problems being experienced by the people living/working there.

The practitioner should take compass readings outside the building; this information is used to work out the Xuan Kong Fei Xing (Flying Stars) chart of the building.

The practitioner should give the client detailed recommendations on what to do, in all the different areas of the building, in order to bring about positive changes in the peoples' lives.

The practitioner must be able to explain clearly the rationale and logic behind all the recommendations to the client.

The consultation fee should be consistent with the current market standard; it should not be exorbitant nor ridiculously cheap.

The consultant should provide follow-up support and annual update services for a nominal fee.

The practitioner should be constantly upgrading his/her training and knowledge. They should also be formally listed as one of the practitioners of his/her school.

I hope this article helps your search for a reliable Feng Shui consultant/teacher.

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Teresa Min Yee Hwang is a certified Feng Shui Master and Lecturer of Master Joseph Yu's Feng Shui Research Center. She is also a certified interior designer, with years of experience in residential and commercial projects, 4 Pillars of Destiny charts, Face Reading, Divination and Date Selection. She also teaches seminars to beginners, and professional courses to more advanced students.

Disclaimer: The above and consult recommendations are subject to your own interpretation and application. Teresa Hwang Feng Shui & Design and Associates are not responsible or liable for any loss of property, harm and personal injury resulting in above recommendations.